DORRIS – A 37-year-old San Pablo, Calif. man suffered fatal injuries and five people were transported for medical care as a result of a vehicle collison Wednesday morning on US-97 south of Sheepy Creek in Dorris, stated a press release issued by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

The driver (whose name is not being released at this time) was traveling northbound on US-97 in a 2010 Toyota Sienna with three passengers Scott Heiler, 41, of Richmond; Lawrence Frase, 31, of Watsonville; and Andrew Farmer, 26, of Richmond.

At approximately 9:18 a.m., the driver steered the Toyota into the snow-covered fast lane as it approached a slower vehicle in the right northbound lane.

According to the release, the driver lost control and the Toyota crossed into the left southbound lane where it collided with a 2006 Peterbuilt driven by Steven Duell, 56, of Lapine, Ore. The collision propelled the Peterbuilt to the west and into a 2012 Peterbuilt driven by Roy Bain, 42, of Klamath Falls, Ore.

The Toyota driver was pronounced dead at the scene and all three of his passengers were transported to Skylakes Medical Center with moderate to major injuries. Duell and Bain were also transported to Skylakes Medical Center for treatment.

“Preliminary investigations suggest that this collision was caused by unsafe speed on a snow-covered roadway,” stated the release.

The identity of the Toyota driver will be released by the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) when family notifications have been completed, said Allison Giannini, SCSO spokesperson.

“We would like to remind drivers to change their normal driving habits when encountering winter driving conditions,” stated Yreka Area Office CHP Commander George Peck. “Motorists need to significantly slow down and use extreme caution when driving on snow and ice.”